PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between CJ Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jose Cronos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Johnson might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to 2pac & Dr.Dre - California Love. Cronos has chosen Sandstorm as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Johnson
vs
Cronos

170 cm
34
144 lbs
30 - 13 - 0

178 cm
27
145 lbs
16 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Beaver Jooce!

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, CJ Johnson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jose Cronos!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Trevor Gratis and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Johnson throws a head kick but Cronos moves out of range.
Cronos misses with a hook

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Cronos is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Cronos is refusing to be controlled, as Johnson sits in half guard.
Cronos is controlling Johnson's trapped leg to prevent Johnson from advancing to side control.
Cronos gets back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cronos keeping full guard, as Johnson tries to pass.
Cronos being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Cronos keeps moving.
Johnson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Johnson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cronos trying to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Good leg kick by Johnson there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Cronos misses with an uppercut

and Johnson counters with a takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to control the position but Cronos is working away.
We've been hearing that Johnson has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Johnson working the body and head with strikes.
Johnson moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Johnson scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Cronos to see if he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Cronos is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Cronos regains half guard, as Johnson was trying to land strikes.
Johnson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cronos wants to improve his position but Johnson is controlling well.
Johnson has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Johnson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Johnson looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cronos is trying desperately to improve position.
Johnson looking to finish Cronos with some ground and pound. This is bad for Cronos!
Johnson controlling from mount.
Johnson landing strikes from the mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson prevents Cronos from getting the reversal.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Cronos hang on?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

CJ Johnson dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A slapping leg kick lands for Johnson.
Johnson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cronos is fending him off so far but Johnson persists. Nope, Cronos circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice body punch from Cronos.
Johnson throws a leg kick that misses.
A big left from Johnson misses.
Cronos fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Johnson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Cronos's head backwards.
Cronos misses with a left hand

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Johnson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Johnson throws an elbow that misses. Cronos uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Johnson's guard. Nice move by Cronos!

Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Johnson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cronos can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Johnson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Cronos doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Cronos manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cronos wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.
Cronos slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Johnson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
CJ Johnson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Cronos wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.
Johnson wants to sweep here but Cronos controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Cronos stands and throws Johnson's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Johnson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Johnson stops Cronos from passing to mount.
You can see the frustration on Johnson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
My spies in World Class Fitness and Grappling inform me that Cronos has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Cronos content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

Cronos thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Cronos is thwarting Johnson's attempts to control the position.

Cronos is working for a submission of some sort.
Johnson trying to control here.
Johnson wants to get back to full guard.
Johnson wants to get back to full guard but Cronos has passed into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Cronos wants to control but Johnson is keeping him busy.
Johnson is trying to control Cronos's posture but Cronos avoids it.
Johnson is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Cronos's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Johnson gets back to full guard.
Johnson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Johnson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cronos can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Cronos trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that CJ Johnson will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Johnson misses with a low kick as Cronos jumps back.
CJ Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cronos digs a good hook to Johnson's body.
Cronos misses with the combination.
Cronos looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Johnson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cronos can do to turn this around?
A looping hook to the body misses from Johnson. Cronos does a little dance to reset his feet.
A jab from Cronos misses.
Johnson thuds his shin into the meat of Cronos's side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Johnson - that will leave a mark!
Cronos uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Jose Cronos is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Johnson thumps Cronos with a low kick.
Johnson throws a body kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A nice inside leg kick there by Johnson. That's going to slow Cronos down.
Johnson fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Johnson thows a leg kick but Cronos checks it
and Cronos counters with a stiff right hand.
CJ Johnson is winning the standup battle so far.
Johnson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Johnson.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cronos manages to avoid it.
Johnson throws a body kick that misses.
Cronos takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Sloppy strikes from Cronos. Those never looked like landing.
A swing and a miss from Cronos.
Cronos misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Cronos. Those never looked like landing.
Cronos swinging wildly here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cronos throws a lazy uppercut

and Johnson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Johnson.
Johnson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Cronos utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Cronos looking to hit a scissor sweep but Johnson is one step ahead there.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Cronos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a big right hand that misses.
Johnson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Johnson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Johnson throws a big right hand that misses.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Cronos needs to keep his hands up - Johnson had a free shot at his head there.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cronos was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.
Cronos changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Johnson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Cronos throws a series of punches but Johnson avoids them all with ease.
A punch lands to the side of Cronos 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson cracks the inside of Cronos's front leg.
Some bone on bone action there as Cronos checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Johnson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Cronos rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Johnson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Cronos waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Johnson.
Cronos checks the leg kick nicely there.
Johnson swings away with a body shot that misses
and Cronos counters with a three punch combo that has Johnson backing up. Johnson nods at Cronos to acknowledge the strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Johnson dodges the punch combination from Cronos.
Cronos lands a jab-cross combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Jose Cronos just about did enough to take it.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Johnson misses with a looping left.
Cronos fails to land with a series of punches.
Cronos takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Johnson wants to slow Cronos down by chopping away at his legs.
Cronos checks a low kick from Johnson.

Cronos gets caught flat footed, as Johnson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Johnson trying to control but Cronos is working from the bottom.
Cronos not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cronos tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Cronos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson is in close to Cronos's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Johnson throws a big right hand that misses.
Cronos trying to control the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Johnson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Cronos. Cronos circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
The fighters circle momentarily. Johnson darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Johnson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson looks to land a left hand but Cronos moved out of range nicely.
Johnson rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Cronos counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Johnson throws a front kick that sends Cronos stumbling back into the cage.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cronos. Johnson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cronos blocks the body kick.
Johnson connects with a jab.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cronos sprawls well. Cronos wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
Sloppy strikes from Cronos. Those never looked like landing.
Cronos throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cronos uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Johnson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cronos throws a jab when Johnson was well out of range.
Cronos scores with a jab to the jaw.
A jab from Johnson misses.
Cronos on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Cronos!
Johnson lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Johnson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Cronos is out of range and Johnson settles back down.
Cronos tests Johnson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Cronos walks into a left hand.
Johnson lands a jab to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cronos takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the body from Johnson misses
and Cronos counters with a stiff right hand.
Johnson connects with a body shot.
Cronos rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Johnson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Johnson throws a lazy body kick
and Cronos makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Johnson scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Cronos misses with a low kick.
Cronos takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Cronos's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Cronos throws a series of punches but Johnson moves out of range.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cronos manages to avoid it.
Johnson sizes up Cronos with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Johnson closes the distance and clinches up with Cronos, looking for a takedown. Johnson pushes Cronos against the cage but Cronos circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

CJ Johnson had his way with Jose Cronos in that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Cronos throws a right and a left that Johnson avoids nicely.
A jab from Johnson misses.
Johnson misses with a wild combination.
Johnson throws a shot from downtown. Cronos moves away and avoids it.
Johnson connects with a right hand. Cronos shakes it off.
Johnson ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Cronos misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson throws a leg kick but Cronos sees it coming and moves out of range.
The crowd cheers as Cronos lands an impressive looking overhand right. Johnson doesn't seem phased though.
Johnson moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Johnson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson dips to his left and cracks Cronos with an uppercut!
Nice uppercut there from Johnson.
Nice defenses there by Cronos.
Nice uppercut there from Johnson.
A chopping leg kick lands by Johnson.
Johnson throws a body shot but no joy.
Johnson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cronos. Johnson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cronos takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Cronos looks to land a right hand but Johnson moved out of range.
Johnson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cronos moves out of range of the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cronos defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Johnson.
Johnson jabs at Cronos's body.
Johnson bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Cronos's head.
Cronos uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Johnson has time to react.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson misses with a hook to the body
and Cronos counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Johnson throws a right hand that Cronos ducks under and follows up with a left that Cronos also avoids with ease.
Cronos fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The fighters circling - Cronos throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Cronos gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Cronos avoids the body shot from Johnson.
Johnson throws a leg kick but Cronos sees it coming and checks it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a body punch but Cronos moves out of range.
Cronos has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Johnson throws a head kick but Cronos moves out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Cronos. Those never looked like landing.
Johnson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Cronos finds it's way round the side to connect with Johnson's head.
Cronos gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Cronos on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Cronos bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Johnson moves out of range of the strikes.
Jab, jab by Johnson - just one landing.
Cronos connects with a good right hand that stumbles Johnson. Johnson circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Cronos keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cronos throws a right hand that misses

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cronos keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Johnson controls from within his opponent's guard.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Cronos is keeping the position.
CJ Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Johnson distracts Cronos with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Jose Cronos has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cronos is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

And that's the end of the fight!
CJ Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Johnson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 50:46
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 48:47
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 49:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... CJ Johnson!
CJ Johnson retains his bantamweight title!
Our winner, CJ Johnson, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
In defeat, Jose Cronos stepped up to the mic, saying 'Sorry everyone, the better man won tonight. I'll be back, stronger then ever.'.